Canelo Drops Truth Bomb: Crawford Fight Could Eclipse Mayweather & GGG Showdowns

By Lewis Barnett 3 May, 2025 7 mins read 58 Views

Jesus. I've been covering boxing for nearly a decade now, and I still get goosebumps when the sport's biggest stars start teasing these generational matchups. Just yesterday I was telling my brother-in-law that the fight game has gotten stale, and then THIS lands in my lap.

Canelo Alvarez—the red-headed Mexican cash cow with more belts than a department store—just told me something that made me spill my morning coffee. The Crawford fight? Yeah, that one. He thinks it could be THE biggest of his career.

Let that sink in.

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The Resume That Makes Other Fighters Cry

For those who've been living under a rock (or only watch UFC), Canelo's career reads like a who's who of boxing legends. The man fought Mayweather when he was just a kid—lost, sure, but learned lessons worth their weight in gold. Then there's teh trilogy with GGG that had us all screaming at our TVs, especially that first fight where the judges apparently watched a different match than the rest of us.

When I caught up with Canelo ahead of his weekend scrap with William Scull (a fight that feels like an appetizer before the main course), he was surprisingly candid about the Crawford matchup.

"I have a lot of big fights. A lot of big fights, a lot of good fights in my career," he told me, maintaining that poker face he's famous for. "I'm focused on this fight, and we'll see, we'll see if if that fight happens. We'll see, maybe it's gonna be the biggest? We don't know."

Translation: It's happening, and he knows it's massive.

Show Me The Money (And It's A LOT)

Back in 2018, I sat ringside for the second GGG fight and watched promoters literally counting stacks of cash. No exaggeration. The three-fight saga with Golovkin generated approximately £230 MILLION just from PPV sales. That's enough to buy a small island or fund a Marvel movie.

The Mayweather fight? Even more insane. 2.2 million PPV buys. £110 million in revenue. Numbers that make accountants weak in the knees.

But here's where things get interesting...

Netflix and Kill (Your Competition)

The Crawford fight won't be on traditional PPV. It's headed to Netflix, which might sound weird until you remember what happened last November. My editor bet me $20 that the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson circus wouldn't break 50 million viewers. Poor guy. It did DOUBLE that.

Over 100 million people watched a YouTuber box a 58-year-old legend. I feel stupid now for ever doubting the drawing power of these streaming platforms.

This new frontier is exactly why Jake Paul's team started sniffing around Canelo earlier this year. They nearly—NEARLY—locked down a May 3rd showdown until Saudi money changed everything.

The Saudi Swerve That Changed Everything

Listen. Boxing's landscape has transformed completely since Turki Alalshikh entered the picture. The Saudi chairman swooped in during February and basically said "forget Netflix, forget Jake Paul, I've got a better offer."

Canelo signed a four-fight deal faster than you can say "show me the money." His first bout under this arrangement? This weekend against Scull in Riyadh.

"I'm very happy. Things happen for a reason and I'm happy with this and I'm gonna enjoy it as much as I can," Alvarez told me, though I noticed his eyes light up when talking about potentially reclaiming his IBF belt—the missing piece that would make the Crawford fight for all the 168lb marbles.

Jake Paul Won't Go Away (But Canelo Doesn't Care)

The Problem Child isn't taking the rejection well. He's still calling out Canelo while preparing to fight Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. on June 28—yes, the same Chavez Jr. that Canelo embarrassed back in 2017.

When I mentioned Paul's continued callouts, Canelo just shrugged. The dismissal was brutal.

"Calling it a fight is very difficult for me, man," he said with a slight eye roll. "It's for me more like event more than a fight, you know, and this is not the moment."

Ouch. His response: not even worth considering as a real fight. Just a circus "event."

The UK Dream That Won't Die

One thing that caught me off guard during our conversation was Canelo's genuine enthusiasm about potentially fighting in the UK. For a guy who's made his fortune in Vegas and Texas, he seemed almost childlike when discussing the possibility.

"I'm focused 100 per cent on this fight but it's something I always dreaming in my life," he said, his English slipping a bit as his excitement grew. "I don't know who or what fighter I'm gonna face, but I always dreaming in my career fighting in UK."

I've interviewed dozens of fighters who mention the UK as a bucket-list destination, but few with Canelo's sincerity. The man has fought exclusively in North America throughout his career—this Saudi fight marks his first venture outside that comfort zone.

God. Imagine 80,000 Brits singing "Sweet Caroline" before Canelo walks out at Wembley. The thought alone gives me chills.

But first—Crawford. September. Netflix. History in the making.

And I wouldn't miss it for anything.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the equipment I need to get started boxing

To begin boxing, you require essential gear for safety and effective training. Boxing gloves are essential, as well as hand wraps for protecting your wrists and fingers, a protective mouthguard and a headgear when sparring. In addition, athletic clothing and boxing boots are recommended for greater support and better movement.

Boxing can improve mental health.

Boxing can improve mental health significantly by reducing anxiety, improving mood, boosting confidence, providing a feeling of accomplishment and promoting discipline. The focus required during training can also serve as a form of meditation, helping to clear the mind and improve concentration.

Do beginners need to spar in boxing?

Beginners shouldn't immediately start sparring. They should wait until they have a solid base in the basics, and a level of fitness that is acceptable. It's vital to spar under the supervision of a coach and with proper protective gear to ensure safety and productive learning experiences.

What is the difference in amateur and professional boxing?

Amateur boxing tends to be more focused on the sport side, with an emphasis placed on skills, techniques, and the number of points rather than on knockouts. It usually involves shorter rounds, and protective headgear is required. Professional boxing on the other is a career that requires full-time commitment. There are longer rounds with no headgear and an emphasis on power.

Is it a good idea to box in order to be fit?

Boxing is a great way to improve your overall fitness. This full-body workout is intense and improves cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength, endurance coordination and agility. It is also a great way to relieve stress and boost your discipline and confidence.

What should I concentrate on as a boxing beginner?

As a beginner, your focus should be on learning proper form and technique. It is important to master the basics of punching, develop a solid defense, improve your footwork and condition. Start slow, focus on technique rather than power, and consult a coach with experience.

Statistics

Studies suggest that about 30% of beginner boxers tend to neglect the importance of footwork in their initial training phase.
Research indicates that nearly 70% of punches thrown by boxers during a match are jabs.
On average, beginner boxers improve their punching power by 10%-20% after six months of consistent training.
Cardiovascular fitness improvements can be seen after just 12 weeks of consistent boxing training.
Nearly 80% of boxing training injuries are related to incorrect technique, especially within the first three months of taking up the sport.
Roughly 75% of beginners do not employ adequate defensive tactics in their first sparring sessions.
Women are joining boxing in increasing numbers, rising by about 15% in the past decade, indicating growing gender diversity in the sport.
Studies show that proper hand wrapping can reduce the chance of hand and wrist injuries by as much as 40%.
An analysis of boxing workouts demonstrates that participants can maintain a heart rate at 75-85% of their maximum, which is the optimal range for cardiovascular training.
Approximately 80% of boxing injuries occur during training, not in actual competition.

External Links

How To

How to Deliver an Effective Uppercut In Boxing

The uppercut can be a fight-changing punch when delivered with precision. You can lower your rearhand slightly by bending your knees and dropping your level. As you thrust your hip up and pivot your rear foot, drive your rear arm in a upward arc toward your opponent's body or chin. To protect your face, keep your lead arm up. You can also use your legs or core to generate more power.